What to Expect at your Dog's Yearly Exam
Jot down a list of things you would like to discuss with your veterinarian, including behavioral issues, feeding habits, and physical changes you’ve noticed in your dog. Anything unusual or out of the ordinary should be brought to your veterinarian’s attention.
Dogs require an annual physical exam by a veterinarian, and though it might seem tedious, especially if your dog is fit, this yearly visit to the doctor is a preventive step that can ensure that he lives a long and healthy life. In many cases, regular exams catch early warning signs of life-threatening diseases before they become critical. Also, some states require yearly dog vaccinations and canine registration, both easily acquired through your veterinarian.
Here are three tips to make that yearly duty hassle-free:
1. Prepare Early
On your first visit to the veterinarian with your new dog or puppy, the office staff will register all of your pup’s information into a database that will automatically generate a postcard once a year reminding you about your dog’s yearly physical and detail what tests should be run and what vaccines given. As soon as you get that reminder from your veterinarian in the mail, call the clinic to schedule an appointment.
Jot down a list of things you would like to discuss with your veterinarian, including behavioral issues, feeding habits, and physical changes you’ve noticed in your dog. Anything unusual or out of the ordinary should be brought to your veterinarian’s attention.
On the appointment day, collect a fresh stool sample to take with you – the stool may be tested for parasites or other abnormalities. During your dog’s morning routine, follow him and gather a specimen with a plastic bag. Place it in a container marked with the date and time of collection, and give it to the veterinary technician once you’re in the exam room. This will make the doctor’s job a lot easier.
2. Understand The Exam
When you arrive for your appointment, a technician will escort you to an exam room. She will take your pup’s temperature, weigh him, and discuss what vaccinations or boosters he will need based on what he has received before.
During the physical exam, the veterinarian conducts an overall health screening to look for potential health problems. She will listen to your pup’s heart and lungs for congestion; she will feel his abdomen, muscles, and joints for swelling or lumps; she will inspect his mouth, teeth, and gums for infection or decay; she will look into his eyes, ears, and nose, checking for discharge or odor; and she will look at the dog’s coat for abnormalities. The veterinarian will look for anything out of the ordinary and watch the dog’s reaction when she handles him.
The veterinarian will ask you questions about the dog’s behavior as well. She’ll want to know his eating and defecting habits and his activity level. If you have seen anything unusual, be sure to tell the veterinarian. This is the time to engage in a comfortable dialogue with your veterinarian, so take out the notes you jotted down prior to the appointment.
If everything checks out fine, you won’t need to visit the veterinarian again for another year. But, if there’s a potential issue, the veterinarian might recommend laboratory work or X-rays. The office will call you with the test results as soon as they’re available.
3. Ask About Vaccinations and Prevention
Your veterinarian will administer vaccinations and boosters during the annual exam. These generally include distemper, leptospirosis, and parvovirus. A rabies vaccine should be given every one, two, or three years, depending on the protocols in your state. Ask your veterinarian for vaccination recommendations against Lyme disease and Bordetella (kennel cough), as well.
This is also an ideal time to discuss heartworm and flea and tick prevention. Your veterinarian may recommend monthly medication to prevent infestations.
At the end of the visit, think for a moment about anything else you want to ask the veterinarian. If there was something you didn’t understand, make sure to ask about it, or ask the office staff. On your way out, there’s usually a little bowl of doggie treats on the counter. Make sure to stop to give your pal a little snack – he deserves it.
Wendy Bedwell-Wilson writes about pet and lifestyle topics from her home in Hawaii, where she lives with two spoiled cats, an exuberant Pointer puppy, and her husband.